the sector you've never touched IS a 10-bagger, but not like that [DD w/ $250k invested)
A few days ago, I saw the[ \[DD\]](https://www.reddit.com/r/wallstreetbets/comments/1ir0k5o/this_sector_youve_never_touched_is_a_10bagger_dd/) posted here about the mining industry. The OP of this post was right to point out that the mining sector is due for a massive run and I appreciated the attention they drew to the qualities of a high return opportunity. However, their recommendation was mostly to invest in mining related to GOLD! Reading that was like watching one set the dining table beautifully, only to proceed to mistake the appetizer for the main dish.
Today I’m going to provide further evidence for the case that the mining industry presents a massive opportunity on a timescale anywhere from right now to the end of Trump’s term. The investments that are going to make you rich, however, have nothing to do with gold, per se, and everything to do with titanium, lithium, rare earth minerals, and the complete market dominance China has over their processing and extraction (as many of us have heard about, ad nauseam).
**Part I: Ukraine, Greenland, Russia, Cosmetic Moguls, and the Allied Supply Chain**
Why does Trump care so much about Greenland? Why is he so insistent on Ukraine signing away 50% of their claim to Ukraine’s minerals and, if that matters so much, why did he cut Ukraine out from the opening negotiations with Russia?
As I mentioned, the answer is that it’s all about the supply chain of minerals and metals. China is bending us over the table with their grip over the chain (80-90%+ dominance), especially in separation/processing of the materials. Recently, they [have gone as far as to ban key processing/separation materials needed](https://www.reuters.com/technology/chinese-lithium-company-halts-tech-exports-trade-tensions-build-2025-02-18/), posturing to protect their interests in the face of American policy strides to distance themselves from their grip over the market. They have also, in recent years, kept costs of lithium and other precious earth and minerals artificially low, stymying western incentive to establish their own supply.
[China has been *SO* effective at doing all of this,](https://www.wsj.com/finance/commodities-futures/china-dominant-mineral-mining-global-supply-chain-e2b7840e) that until the last few years, there was **ZERO** mining/processing of rare earth happening domestically in the USA. The picture wasn’t much better for other crucial metals and resources, such as lithium and titanium. We slept too long.
Don’t understand the stakes involved? [Here is Marco Rubio](https://uscriticalmaterials.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Marco-Rubio-video.mp4), our present secretary of state and who has recently opened up peace negotiations with Russia over Ukraine, being an absolute doomer about the state of play with the supply chain.
Let me be clear, too, this is a bipartisan issue and it is *extremely* difficult to deny the threat this poses to our national security and economic prosperity. That is why it has been a priority of both republican and democrat administrations recently. However, this present administration has the power (and willingness to follow through) necessary to set this market ablaze.
**Part II. Convergence, Timing, Trump Administration, Private Equity, Executive Action**
Alright, so we have established that the US is seriously threatened by China’s stranglehold over this sector. What is this administration doing and who are the relevant people involved? I don’t have time to give you all of the reasons that point me in favor of a bullish sentiment on titanium, lithium, and rare earth minerals. Here are a few that I take to be really supportive, however.
First, let me introduce you to **Ronald S. Lauder**, heir to the Estée Lauder cosmetics company. For whatever reason, this guy has a real penchant for minerals and mining. He is [*close friends* with Donald Trump](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/world/europe/trump-ukraine-rare-earth-minerals.html) and is, according to the NY times, the one that initially led Trump to turn his attention to Greenland. He is also very interested in Ukrainian minerals, and metals.
You see, Ronald Lauder is a business partner of **Brian Menell**, CEO of private investment/equity firm [**Techmet**](https://www.techmet.com/), which seeks to expand production of precious minerals across our global assets to help ensure a secure and sustainable supply of the key metals for western-aligned interests.
If there is one company to look at, and one company alone, it is Techmet. Recently, they have secured 180 million from **QIA**. They are **DOE and DFC** contractors with extremely lucrative deals over the last few years. Furthermore, what makes them unusual is that the DFC decided against their usual financing terms and actually went ahead and bought a direct stake in Techmet itself. That means the **US Federal Government** is a stakeholder directly aligned with the interests and priorities of Techmet.
As if this was not enough, Techmet also has the investment/backing of energy behemoth Mercuria. They also hold advisory members and business partners from big name mining companies like Rio Tinto. Furthermore, their current chairman is **Admiral Mike Mullen** who was previously Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, as well as on the board of **General Motors** They have also partnered with . Suffice to say, their present reach and influence over western government is compelling as anything I have ever seen before.
If you are curious, here is the CEO Brian Menell two or so weeks ago discussing the present state of the administration and supply chain issues [here.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP9_PY5gEug&ab_channel=SmarterMarkets%E2%84%A2) He is bullish about this administration and highlights what needs to happen in order to compete with China effectively.
What does he stress? **Permitting, Bureaucracy, Federal Incentivization.** He calls on the administration to lift regulations, give permits quickly, purchase directly and invest in western-aligned companies that are working on the energy transition. Trump is doing *exactly* this, from establishing the sovereign wealth fund, to the guidance issued by way of two executive actions “[Unleashing American Energy”](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/unleashing-american-energy/), as well as [“Unleashing Prosperity through Deregulation](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/unleashing-prosperity-through-deregulation/).”
I recommend you read the language, especially the former. The order seeks to “establish our position as the leading producer and processor of non-fuel minerals, including rare earth minerals, which will create jobs and prosperity at home, strengthen supply chains for the United States and its allies, and reduce the global influence of malign and adversarial states” as well as “to protect the United States’s economic and national security and military preparedness by ensuring that an abundant supply of reliable energy is readily accessible in every State and territory of the Nation”
By way of the executive orders, federal agencies are instructed (within 60 days) to identify and eliminate barriers to efficient private investment and reduce project timelines for critical energy. Trump also instructs that priority should be placed on making sure USA funds critical mineral ventures and he also instructs to make sure the USA has an adequate stockpile of critical minerals/metals (and to purchase more if not). Emphasis is also placed on geologic mapping, and key western partnerships that share national security concerns w/ China **(the “Quad”).**
Here is sub-item (J) of the order on Unleashing American Energy:
>Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of State, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Labor, the United States Trade Representative, and the heads of any other relevant agencies, shall submit a report to the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy that includes policy recommendations to enhance the competitiveness of American mining and refining companies in other mineral-wealthy nations.
Trump is not a patient man. He will act quickly after receiving this report in March, and he is already trying his best to wrap up Ukraine as quickly as possible too, with assurances of mineral access. That is why I believe the shortest timeline to return is now to the end of Trump's term.
Furthermore, I do believe that Trumps team began negotiations without Ukraine precisely because they are angling to get the best possible minerals deal possible. Russian advances on Ukraine have meant that the many of the precious minerals that the west is after presently falls under Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. Having 50% of the rights to Ukraine's rare earth is not enough because there is no guarantee that Ukraine will win the war, or how long that would take. Meanwhile, the US would have to continue to pump money into Ukraine with no end in sight. Trump isn't going to be OK with that. I think he is working out a post-war deal with Russia that makes certain that minerals will be available for the USA immediately.
**Part III: Positions**
Where to invest? Well, Techmet is private. However, there are still plays that can be made in this sector. Right now I have \~$250,000 in derivatives and stock opened yesterday and today. Here is where I am at the moment, though I will absolutely re-balance as I continue to do research.
https://preview.redd.it/oclseac8cjke1.jpg?width=665&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=48232bf2a19ed448757da6cc248dee2453ae6faa
https://preview.redd.it/nznu3bc8cjke1.jpg?width=690&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22a30e2408d70fb47c95264a4a8137c11402d7d1
https://preview.redd.it/am8i3ac8cjke1.jpg?width=671&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2ca74d99bd71812608bbe3a7bcbe1c4779e5c156
Why did I pick these? (don't mind Humana or Uber, those are not mining plays for me).
>**MP materials** is presently the only rare earth mine and processor in the United States.
>**LYS** is AU but part of "The Quad" that Trump opens the door for investments towards when he writes "(k) The Secretary of State shall consider opportunities to advance the mining and processing of minerals within the United States through the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue."
>**REEMF** is self-explanatory, broader exposure.
>**CAT** is at a 6 month low. I thought that this was a good time to get in given ramping of mining in future. They have ties to Ukraine's post-war rebuilding via the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC).
**IPX** has an up-and-coming titanium producer that I believe is domestic
**Other ideas:** ABAT, Holtec, anything having to do with Brazilian Nickel or Trinity Metals perhaps; anything related to the Quad countries and rare earth / metals. I would welcome other suggestions regarding avenues to invest in this sector in a way that gets exposure to the right areas.
I'll close with this. Brian Menell, after meeting Mr. Zelensky in NY alongside other energy executives in September, had this to say in a statement:
>“TechMet, together with our partners, is available to move forward with further work if the U.S. and Ukrainian governments instruct us to do so"
Western interests will be ready at a moments notice. Will you be?
